The Sacred Overlap

'If we have any hope of discipling the next generation in the way of Jesus, it's vital we release our fear of mystery and make a home in the sacred overlap. J.R. Briggs writes with thoughtful discernment about how the nuance and complexity of life can find resolution in the peace of Christ, even when we don't have all the answers. I am deeply grateful for this book.' * Emily P. Freeman, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Next Right Thing *
'In a day where the world, our culture, and the church are marked by a continual default to division and defensiveness, J.R. Briggs offers us a vision of an interconnected, integrated, and incarnated way of being in the world. In the engaging and entertaining 'both/and' character of this book, Briggs helps us to see God and reality in ways that are both deeply inspiring and profoundly uncomfortable, completely biblical and distressingly disruptive, breathtakingly spiritual and shockingly down-to-earth. This book should be read by all those who want to be formed into someone who can personally participate in crossing divides and working for a genuinely restorative common good--and are willing to have their assumptions challenged every step of the way.' * Tod Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains and Tempered Resilience *
'In a time when our world, the culture, and the church are polarized like never before, J.R. helps us to explore 'Jesus in the both/and.' Not a middle-of-the-road faith that lacks conviction, but a bold, fresh way of seeing the brilliance of Jesus displayed in the tension of the opposites. Steeped in Scripture, classic thinkers, and storyful metaphors, The Sacred Overlap is a much-needed perspective and spiritual life reboot.' * Paul Baloche, songwriter and pastor, LeadWorship.com *
'In the early days, it was a core Christian capacity to live in tension--in but not of the world. With agility, J.R. Briggs teaches those first-century Eastern Christian skills to twenty-first-century Western Christians. As we are stretched to hold these seemingly incompatible truths in our small minds and bodies, we, as individuals and a movement, may be transformed!' * Mandy Smith, pastor and author of The Vulnerable Pastor *
'In The Sacred Overlap, J.R. explores some of the most complex aspects of discipleship by integrating the idea of paradox at the heart of theological truth, experiencing the world through a both/and frame, seeing the sacred in ordinary things. This is not just well-written book, it is also a very convincing one.' * Alan Hirsch, award-winning author and founder of Forge Missional Training Network, Movement Leaders Collective, and The 5Q Collective *
'One of J.R.'s great gifts is his ability to ask unique questions in ways that help us all live more fully into kingdom realities. The Sacred Overlap is another such example. In a deeply divided world of either/or thinking, J.R. helps to chart a course that not only embraces the tensions of life but allows us to see that this is actually a better way. There is rich wisdom for those who desire to live the 'in between' faithfully.' * Adam L. Gustine, Center for Social Concerns at the University of Notre Dame and author of Becoming a Just Church *
'The Sacred Overlap calls us out of a formulaic faith lacking fruit and vibrancy, and calls us to the experience and practice of a faith that is rooted in truth, intriguingly mysterious, authentically joyful, and abundantly practical. J.R.'s words will be humbly inviting and challenging for believer and seeker alike as he reintroduces the person of Jesus and the life of his followers.' * The Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Alger, Canon for Church Planting, Anglican Church in North America *
'The Sacred Overlap is a winsome push beyond the either/or to the both/and, a disturbing nudge that moves us beyond the tribal, an inspiring prod to the way of God at work in the world in Jesus Christ. I hope you'll read this book, written so well by an engaged mind, and let it challenge your imagination to become the kind of Christian our world is so desperate for.' * Dr. David Fitch, BR Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology at Northern Seminary and author of Faithful Presence *
'This is a book I wish I could have written. The invitation to paradoxical mystery in the Christian life is not only something we desperately need to hear about, we couldn't hear it from a better teacher. Briggs has crafted something beautiful here worthy of our attention. Here's to entering the glorious mystery.' * Dr. A.J. Swoboda, assistant professor of Bible and theology at Bushnell University and author of After Doubt *
'We live in a chaotic world where life is often messy, if not paradoxical. Such paradoxes saturate the Scriptures. In The Sacred Overlap, J.R. Briggs helps us to learn to live and thrive in the tension of the paradoxes of the Christian faith.' * Winfield Bevins, director of church planting at Asbury Theological Seminary, author of Ever Ancient, Ever New *